Job Description

Who We Are: 

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts’ premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, . 

The Trustees is among the largest private farmland owners in the Commonwealth and currently owns 2,000+ acres of farmland across Massachusetts. These lands include farms leased to external partners as well as Appleton Farms in Ipswich and Powisset Farm in Dover - the two crop and livestock farms managed directly by the organization. The Trustees is fortunate to enjoy a large and engaged constituency across the state including visitors, members, supporters, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shareholders, and farmland lease holders.   

Posting Information: 

Salary: $80-95,000 

Note: This role will be hired as a manager or director based on experience and skills. 

Hours per week: 40 

Job Classification: Full-Time, Exempt 

Job Type: Hybrid 

Location: Statewide, MA 

What You’ll Do: 

As the Agricultural Program Lead, you will lead implementation of our statewide agricultural vision, positioning our 2,000+ acres of farmland to promote care of natural resources and habitat, sequestration of carbon, and production of local food. You will influence the care and operations of our two Trustees’ operated farms, Appleton Farms in Ipswich and Powisset Farm in Dover, ensuring stewardship of natural resources through agroecological practices and research. You will broaden that influence statewide by promoting agroecological practices to our leased farms, evaluating and activating our farmland statewide, and engaging with our Land Conservation team to advance farmland protection.

One of the first projects you will launch is a statewide assessment of our leased and fallow farmland to determine the highest and best use of the land to meet our broader organizational goals – goals that include production of local food, protection of native species and their habitats, sequestration of carbon, and stewardship of scenic, historic and recreational values on our farms. Secured funding will support a consultant to work with you to assess the agricultural viability alongside conservation values of our farmland, and result in a roadmap for changes to our land-use and leasing program.

The Agriculture Program Lead will report directly to the Vice President of Natural Resources as a member of the organization’s Natural Resources Team and supervise the Agroecologist and seasonal and part-time staff. This position will be hired at either the Director or Manager level depending on the skills and experience of the candidate.

Specifically, you will: 

• Position The Trustees as a trusted partner in implementation of the Statewide Farmland Action Plan , creating partnerships to advance policy reform and improved land access 

• Work collaboratively with staff organization-wide to effectively balance the multiple values of The Trustees – ensuring care of natural resources, habitat, and the land’s cultural and historic legacy 

• Lead efforts to develop a consistent and equitable farmland lease program for Trustees’ to include: 

• Overseeing an approach to prioritize our statewide agricultural lands to identify priorities for food production, habitat, grazing lands, and other values.

• Leading an internal stakeholder team (staff from natural resources, land conservation, property stewardship, and cultural resources teams) and external consultant

• Developing standards for future leases and recommendations for land use transition and then work with property teams to implement 

• Champion the agroecology work of the organization and ensure integration of agroecological best practices at our Trustees’ managed farms and beyond

• Promote practices that protect grassland habitat, water quality, soil health, and carbon sequestration in the face of a changing climate 

• Help identify research opportunities to develop or test new best practices

• Ensure lessee’s of Trustees farmland are using agroecological best practices 

• Promote best management practices within the broader agricultural community as well as with landowners of farmland currently protected by Trustees’-held Conservation Restrictions 

• Support long-term planning and evolution of Trustees’-managed farms 

• Assist our Land Conservation team with our farmland conservation strategy 

• Partner with education and engagement staff to integrate Trustees’ agricultural practices and philosophies into farm-based education, camp curriculum, and public programming

• Oversee statewide Agriculture Program budget, including management of several federal and state grants as well as donor restricted funds 

• Support the Development team in securing additional funding for the program including grant writing and donor solicitations 

• Ensure agricultural practices statewide comply with various organizational policies including our animal welfare policy 

• Present to board members on our Agriculture Committee 

• Oversee The Trustees relationship with USDA/FSA and local NRCS offices, securing funds and managing contracts 

Requirements

What You’ll Need: 

Required Education and Skills/Qualifications: 

• BS or higher in agriculture, agroecology, ecology, environmental science, or related field (equivalent experience can substitute a formal degree)  

• At least 3 years working in a related position (qualifications will determine the level this position is hired at) 

Minimum skills: 

• Passion for the values, mission, and purpose of The Trustees to include a strong conservation ethic centering our agricultural production within a larger goal of stewarding our natural world 

• Knowledge of agroecological farming practices, farm management, natural resource stewardship, climate resilience practices, and carbon sequestration 

• Experience working on or managing a production farm, including an understanding of livestock care and natural resource management 

• Excellent communication skills and proven ability to collaborate and build partnerships across teams and externally  

• Excellent public speaking skills 

• Ability to take initiative and problem solve  

• Experience writing grants and/or funding proposals 

• Experience managing projects to include grant, budget, and consultant management 

• Sound computer skills in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook  

Preferred applicants will also have: 

• 5+ years of relevant experience 

• An advanced degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field 

• An understanding of the farming industry and practices in New England  

• An understanding of projected climate impacts on agriculture and experience with climate resilience and mitigation practices 

• Skills in ArcGIS 

• Experience working with tenant farmers, or being a tenant farmer 

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment 

• A valid driver’s license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Benefits

Your Benefits:

• Sick time: 15 days per year 

• Vacation time: 20 days per year (prorated) 

• 12 observed holidays, 3 floating 

• Health insurance: You are eligible to participate in the Trustees health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offers additional benefits, such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits.  

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance 

• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave 

• Life Insurance  

• 401k with 5% match after 1 year of employment 

• Employee Assistance Program: Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues, such as mental health support, counseling, and financial advice.  

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

• Day of Wonder: Spend one workday per year to exploring a Trustees property 

• Day of Service: Spend one workday per year to helping with a project at a Trustees property  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity: 

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.    

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here:  Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity . 

 It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.  

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